Language is a key. If you can speak in one language, you have just one key. If you can more than one language, you have several keys to open the good ways in your life.
ESOL learner Shir Mohammad
Our Work with Post-16 & Adults (ESOL)
Working with partners to break down language barriers, to education, in the workplace, and across the criminal justice system.
Of the 5.1 million people who speak English as a second or additional language (ESL), over a million report not speaking English "well" or "at all" – more than one third of whom are UK citizens.
Speakers of ESL have wide ranging skills and experience, but language barriers mean that these assets are all too often going unrecognised and unutilised.
At the Foundation, we work to break down language barriers, through our work with partners, in generating evidence, and in our calls for change, so that ESL speakers can thrive in education, employment and the wider community.
Through our Lived Experience Partner Network, the voice and experience of ESL speakers is integrated and reflected in our work. Learn more about our Lived Experience Partner Network.
Traditionally, free ESOL courses…are delivered during the typical school day…[leaving] minimal free provision for those who can’t access courses at these times. This project funded through The Bell Foundation will focus on influencing how ESOL can be better designed and delivered for individuals who are currently in paid employment, specifically those why remain stuck in-low paid work as a result of poor English.
Partner organisation, High Trees
Blog: Why are so many young refugees missing out on education?
In this blog, Diana Sutton, Director of The Bell Foundation, explores brand new evidence on the experience of young refugees arriving later into the education system and what urgent policy changes are needed.
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Late arrivals research
Refugee Education UK (REUK), with support from The Bell Foundation, conducted research on access to education for late arrivals - young people, aged 13-19, who have been forcibly displaced from their homes (for reasons including war, conflict, persecution, trafficking and persecution) and who arrive in the UK late in the education system.
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Webinar "Why Are So Many Child Refugees in the UK Missing out on Education?"
A webinar exploring the findings of REUK’s research on the barriers to young refugees accessing education and the policy changes needed.
Watch the webinar
Policy briefing
Research study "Education provision for newly arrived displaced adolescents".
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Criminal justice ESL training
The Foundation offers training for staff and volunteers working in the criminal justice system, providing opportunities for participants to develop knowledge and skills to communicate more effectively with speakers of English as a second or additional language (ESL).
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New research "Language Barriers in the Criminal Justice System"
A new report provides evidence on how language barriers impact victims, witnesses, defendants and detainees, as well as people in prison or on probation.
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Prison ESOL Screening Tool for Speaking and Listening
A tool to identify if a person in prison needs an initial ESOL assessment.
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Blog: Language Barriers in Prison
In this latest blog, Diana Sutton, Director of The Bell Foundation considers the language barriers faced in prisons, drawing upon the ground-breaking research published by the Foundation earlier this year, and highlighting some of the free resources available.
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Blog: Helping ESOL Learners in Prison to Read through Programme Partnership
In this guest blog, Shannon Trust reflects on the impact of the partnership with The Bell Foundation and the life-changing support given to ESOL learners in prison through the Turning Pages reading guides.
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